Obituaries

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A Marvelous Example'

1 David Sachs

Senior Copy Editor

A

s a youth during the Holocaust,
Moniek "Mickey" Milberger
survived five horrific years in
ghetto of his hometown of Lodz, Poland.
Then, in 1944, he, his father and brother
were among the last Jews to be deported
to Auschwitz death camp. He never saw
his brother again.
Moniek and his father were later
moved to a slave labor camp in Germany,
where his father perished. At the war's
end, Moniek was alone, a 15-year-old
orphan.
He immigrated to America, not know-
ing the language and having not attended
school for six years. But his spirit was
unstoppable — he graduated college,
became a CPA and started a family.
Despite the horrors he experienced in
his youth, he maintained a positive out-
look.
"He was always optimistic:' said
Barbara Milberger, his wife of 48 years.
"He believed in the best in people; he
never hated anybody. To be the ,kind of
person he was — after everything he

his wife.
Mr. Milberger was
went through — was
also extremely patri-
just remarkable."
otic. "He always had
Mr. Milberger, 75, of
- the flag out:' said his
West Bloomfield, died
wife.
of a stroke on Jan. 31,
In 1953, he served
2006.
in the U.S. Army,
His first priority in
ironically in
life was his family.
Germany. "In his
"Our children achieved
own words, `It felt
what they did because
good to be on the
they wanted him to be
other side of the
so proud:' noted
gun," said Rabbi
Barbara. Their son,
David Nelson of
Avery, is a physician,
Congregation Beth
and daughtg Shafon is
Shalom, who spoke
Moniek "Mickey" Milberger
a medical researcher.
at the funeral.
Ho d um.
Mr. Milberger retired from his private
In 2001, Mr.
CPA practice just three years ago when
1 ;47°R Milberger went
his daughter and 20-year business part-
back to Auschwitz
ner CPA Stacey Crane left to become the
while on the March of the. Living pil-
Jewish Federation of Metropolitan
grimage with his wife, children, and
Detroit's endowment director.
granddaughter Sarah Crane. The family
"What a marvelous example he set for
managed a side trip to his hometown of
the children:' said Barbara.
Lodz. There, he saw the apartment where
In service to the community, Mr.
he lived and said Kaddish at the grave of
Milberger was a past president of the
his mother, who died just before World
Michigan Accountants Guild and was
War II: "That was quite an experience
active with Israel Bonds and Federation's said Barbara.
Annual Campaign. "He loved Israel," said
Sarah gained much insight from the

trip, which she related while speaking at
the funeral:
"I always knew Zaydie was a great
man, but on this trip, he proved himself
to be the epitome of the strong person.
"Despite the horrors of his past, Zaydie
lived a remarkable and successful life,
and it showed in his smile. I will never
forget Zaydie's wonderful smile. He
would grin broadly, not quite open all the
way with some teeth still showing. And
his eyes would crinkle up a little on the
edges. When Zaydie gave you one of
those winning smiles, you knew you had
done something right."
Mickey Milberger is survived by his
wife, Barbara; daughters and sons-in-
law, Stacey and Michael Crane of
Farmington Hills, Dn Sharon Milberger
and Dr. Robert Berman of Farmington
Hills; son and daughter-in-law, Dr. Avery
Milberger and Karin Edelson of
Franklin; grandchildren, Sarah and Ilene
Crane, Justin, Alex, Kyla and Noah
Milberger, Koby and Andy Berman.
Interment was at Adat Shalom
Memorial Park. Contributions may be
made to the Parkinson's Foundation or to
the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan
Detroit. Arrangements by Ira Kaufman
Chapel.

college."
Fifteen years ago, Mr.
Jasgur helped arrange
son Steve and daughter
Becca's purchase of Joe
Cornell Entertainment in
Southfield. "We all took
Joe Cornell dance les-
sons," remembered
Ronnie, "and my brother
and sister stuck with it.
Joe was getting ready to
retire, and my dad
approached him. The
deal made my brother
and sister the dance
mavens in town."
Despite his brain tumor and a subse-
quent stroke, Mr. Jasgur was able to
attend Steve's wedding last October and
recited the HaMotzi blessing over
bread.
Last Fathers Day, Steve wrote a trib-
ute to his dad in the Jewish News. He
noted his father's'dedication to JARC
and the Muscular Dystrophy
Association -- causes the family con-
tinues to support.

"He has always seen the bright side of
life and looked to brighten the lives of
others:' Steve said.
Robert Jasgur is survived by his wife,
Harriet; sons and daughters-in-law,
Ronnie and Renee Jasgur of Commerce,
Steve and Jennifer Jasgur of
Birmingham; daughter and son-in-law,
Becca and Todd Schlussel of West
Bloomfield; grandchildren, Taylor,
Jaclyn, Matthew Jasgur, Ben and Aaron
Schlussel; brothers, Richard Jasgur of
Farmington Hills, Kenneth Jasgur of
West Bloomfield.
He was the beloved son of the late
Blanche and the late Sol Jasgur; devoted
son-in-law of the late Beatrice and the
late Sol Docks.
Interment was at Hebrew Memorial
Park. Contributions may be made to the
Hermelin Brain Tumor Fund at Henry
Ford Health System Office of
Philanthropy, 1 Ford Place Suite 5A,
Detroit, MI 48202 or JARC, 30301
Northwestern Highway, Suite 100,
Farmington Hills, MI 48334.
Arrangements by Ira Kaufman
Chapel. ❑

A Yummy Life

David Sachs

Senior Copy Editor

p

opcorn was his life," said- •
Ronnie Jasgur, reflecting on the
36-year "fun food" career of his
father, Robert.
"My dad's calling card was a big, four
or five pound bag of popcorn — the
size of a trash bag. He used to give
those things away like they were busi-
ness cards.
Robert Jasgur, 65, of West Bloonifield,
owner of the Detroit Popcorn Company
until last year, died Feb. 3;2006, of a
brain tumor. A member of Adat Shalom
Synagogue, he was also a builder and
consultant in the commercial and fesi-
dential real estate field.
In 1969, while in his late 20s, Mr.
Jasgur made an unusual career move.
He traded his financial analyst job with
Chrysler Corporation for a 1949 Dodge
yummy wagon" — and peddled pop-
corn and caramel apples up and down
Detroit streets on weekends. Working

C C

with his brother,
Richard, he soon
expanded to eight
trucks, quit his
day job and
bought out his
supplier, the
Detroit Popcorn
Company.
He and Richard
built the business
into one of the
Robert Jasgur
largest whole-
salers of popcorn,
cotton candy, Sno-Cones and carnival
food in the Midwest, providing conces-
sion supplies and equipment as well.
They also manufactured a line of snack
foods — including Bob's Buttery
Caramel Corn and OldeTyme Popcorn.
"Bob was the kindest, most patient
person — a mentor to all who knew
him," said Harriet, hig wife of 41 years.
"Former employees came back and
thanked him for all he did for them. He
gave one employee the money to go to

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February 9 • 2006

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